It’s interesting to be in the first week of a new year, especially since this particular project was almost postponed until this time so I could make it a new year’s resolution. Needless to say, I’m very glad I didn’t wait. Think of all the books I’d have missed out on reviewing! It’s also nice to have one less resolution to first start at this moment, though one thing on my list is to get back to tweeting daily articles on @carlyreadsblog. So far, not great, but it’s early still.
This is yet another Murphy suggestion, who has really been hitting it out of the park with these book recommendations (and more to come, I’m sure!). I remember hearing about this book a long time ago- another member of a summer trip I once took read it and ever since then, it’s been hard not to notice that minimalist yet distinctive red cover in airport bookstores.
Narrated by a protagonist with autism, this book is a fascinating take on a mystery novel- I’ve never read of anything quite like it. The reader is navigating the world not just alongside Christopher, but really inside his head and as an outsider able to understand the things he is personally experiencing more fluidly than he can. It’s a well written book, and you’ll probably find yourself wanting to hug a few of the characters- none more than Christopher. It has its rough parts, with a few uncomfortable passages and events, but it’s so unique a book that it’s hard to find a lot of fault in it.
When searching for the book cover online, I happened to notice it’s also now a Broadway play- I’d be interested to see how this translates to the stage. It must be incredibly produced, as the most telling parts of the entire novel takes place inside a character’s head. Looking forward to reading some reviews of that as well.
In all, fast read but very, very worthwhile. Great start to another fantastic year of reading!
You’ll like this if: you are looking for a unique spin on a traditional genre.
Happy reading!
carlyreads 